There are indications that this psalm has connections with the previous one. The psalm has no title, the partial acrostic possibly continues, although not consistently, and could therefore easily be a coincidence, while in LXX and the Vulgate they are treated as one psalm. But the possible coinciden... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Why do you stand far off, O YHWH? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? As a result of the arrogance of the unrighteous the poor is hotly pursued; They are taken (or ‘Let them be taken') in the schemes that they have conceived.' The psalmist is puzzled and concerned. His own heart is ri... [ Continue Reading ]
‘For the unrighteous man boasts of his heart's desire, And the man who is greedy for gain renounces, yes, passes judgment on YHWH. The wicked, in the pride of his demeanour, says, He will not require it. All his thoughts are, There is no God. His ways are fixed at all times; Your judgments are... [ Continue Reading ]
‘His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppressiveness, Under his tongue are mischief and iniquity. He sits in the hiding places of the villages, In the secret places he murders the innocent. His eyes are surreptitiously set against the helpless. He lurks in secret like a lion in his cover... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Arise, O YHWH, O God, lift up your hand, Do not forget the needy. Why does the unrighteous man renounce God, And say in his heart, ‘You will not call to account'? You have seen, for you behold mischief and spite, To deal with it (literally ‘give it' i.e. give in respect of it) with your hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
‘Break the arm of the unrighteous, and as for the evil man, Seek out his wickedness. You find none.' In unarmed combat the breaking of the arm rendered the opponent powerless. Thus YHWH is exhorted to render the unrighteous powerless, and search out the evil man's wickedness so that He can call it... [ Continue Reading ]
‘YHWH is King for ever and ever, The nations are perished out of his land. YHWH, you have heard the desire of the meek: You will establish their heart, You will cause your ear to hear, To judge on behalf of the fatherless and the oppressed, That man who is of the earth, May strike terror no m... [ Continue Reading ]